22° to 31°
Coolest & Dry
The coolest month of the year, part of the best window for a visit.
🧥 Light layers for evenings☀️ Sunscreen
22° to 32°
Driest of the Best
Typically the driest of the peak months, dry and comfortable.
☀️ Sunscreen✨ Best sightseeing weather
23° to 35°
Heat Builds
Still part of the best window, though the heat is climbing fast.
🥵 Heat protection☀️ Sunscreen
24° to 34°
First Rains
The year's hottest stretch begins, with a shorter burst of rain arriving before the main monsoon.
☔ Umbrella essential🥵 Heat protection
26° to 34°
Hot & Showery
Among the hottest months of the year, with the last of the shorter rains tapering off.
☔ Umbrella handy🥵 Heat protection
26° to 33°
Driest Month
The driest month of the year, part of a second, less sunny dry stretch.
🥵 Heat protection☀️ Sunscreen
25° to 33°
Dry & Hot
Still very dry, part of the second dry stretch of the year.
🥵 Heat protection☀️ Sunscreen
25° to 34°
Dry Stretch Continues
Generally dry, though occasional heavy rain is possible, if rare.
🥵 Heat protection☀️ Sunscreen
24° to 34°
Rains Approach
Still fairly dry, with rain starting to tick up ahead of the main rainy season.
🥵 Heat protection☀️ Sunscreen
24° to 33°
Monsoon Arrives
Rain increases sharply as the northeast monsoon sets in.
☔ Heavy rain gear⚠️ Flash-flood aware
23° to 31°
Wettest Month
The rainiest month of the year, with sustained heavy rain.
☔ Heavy rain gear⚠️ Flash-flood aware
23° to 30°
Deep Monsoon
Still very wet, closing out the year's worst rainy period.
☔ Heavy rain gear⚠️ Flash-flood aware
★★★ peak season, ★★☆ decent shoulder months, ★☆☆ true off-peak, based on rain frequency, heat, and haze.
Frequently asked questions
When is monsoon season in Anuradhapura?›
Anuradhapura's heaviest rain historically falls from October through December, driven by the northeast monsoon, with November the wettest month, averaging around 282mm across 17 days.
What is the best time of year to visit Anuradhapura?›
Mid-January through the end of March is historically Anuradhapura's best window, dry and comfortable before the year's heat builds.
What is the least favorable time to visit Anuradhapura?›
October through December is historically the wettest, most abundant rainy stretch of the year.
Which month has the most rain in Anuradhapura?›
November is historically the wettest month, averaging around 282mm of rain across 17 days.
Which month is the driest in Anuradhapura?›
June is historically the driest month, averaging around 15mm of rain.
How hot does Anuradhapura get?›
April and May are historically tied as the hottest months of the year.
What should I pack for Anuradhapura during the rainy season?›
Rain gear is worth having from around October through December, and again for the shorter rains of April and early May.
Do cyclones affect Anuradhapura?›
Occasionally. Sri Lanka is usually affected by tropical cyclones in November and December, and more rarely in May, when storms forming in the Bay of Bengal, such as Cyclone Roanu in 2016 and Cyclone Amphan in 2020, have brought heavy rain.
Is there a second dry season in Anuradhapura?›
Yes. Roughly late May through August is historically a second, less sunny dry stretch, after the shorter rains of April and early May.
Is Anuradhapura historically significant?›
Yes. It was one of the ancient capitals of Sri Lanka and is home to Sri Maha Bodhi, a sacred fig tree grown from a cutting of the original Bodhi tree, among the oldest historically documented trees in the world.